Manipulatives in nursing education: A concept analysis.

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Nursing Education
• Pedagogy

Background:

• Active learning strategies, such as using manipulatives, are crucial for understanding abstract concepts.
• While common in K-12, manipulatives are effective for adult learners, including in higher education settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a concept analysis of manipulatives as an educational strategy.
• To evaluate the applicability and define the core attributes of manipulatives in nursing education.

Main Methods:

• Walker and Avant's eight-step concept analysis framework was employed.
• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple academic databases (Google Scholar, EPSCO, PubMed, CINAHL) using relevant keywords.

Main Results:

• Three defining attributes of manipulatives were identified: positive student engagement, direct interaction with objects/virtual graphics, and facilitation of learning.
• An operational definition was proposed, supported by model, additional, and empirical cases.
• Applications in both academic and clinical nursing education settings were described.

Conclusions:

• The defined attributes and operational definition provide a framework for nurse educators.
• This concept analysis can guide the planning, organization, and evaluation of educational programs utilizing manipulatives in nursing.